jim who has been my district director and long time friend and colleague until st. louis. suzanne arthur, who has been my deputy director. and kathy walz from missouri, former mayor there, but invaluable part of our constituent outreach team. many other staff, but those in particular, thank them for their long and loyal service and the difference they made in so many people's lives. and really to the missourians i have had the great honor to represent. i am gratified and humbled beyond belief to have been able to represent them in this u.s. house of representatives for eight years. to also represent many in the state house of representatives for four years prior to that. working with them and for them we have been able to get some great things done. working here on big national issues but also important local issues back home. from ribbon cuttings and con strucks signs across the st. louis region, investments to our infrastructure that have created real jobs at home. that have helped rebuild our roads, bridges, ports, locks, dams, levee, high speed rail, light rail, and bu